The modern market offers a wide range of materials that are designed for thermal insulation. Cork insulation, which has a lot of advantages, is especially popular. This material is environmentally friendly and natural origin.
What is this
Cork insulation is a 100% natural material made from the bark of a special oak that grows in Mediterranean countries. The structure of the cork is similar to honeycombs - miniature prisms of the correct proportions. Each square centimeter has approximately 40,000,000 similar cells.
The structure itself includes several layers:
- One fibrous which provides stiffness.
- Two as fiber.
- The following are oily and dense, water repellent. There are also two of them.
The middle layers are suberin and wax. These elements provide special elasticity and are considered the most dense. The prisms inside are filled with a special gas, which is similar in chemical composition to air,therefore completely safe for human he alth and the environment.
Specifications
Cork insulation can have a different shape, on which its technical characteristics depend. There are the following averages:
- Soundproofing. The noise absorption coefficient varies from 17 to 22 decibels. For walls, cork insulation is used as a complete sound insulator. It is often installed in music studios.
- Thermal conductivity. The coefficient is 0.04 W/m. The indicator is almost the same as that of mineral wool. But the thickness of the material is significantly less.
- Moisture absorption. Cork insulation does not absorb water, so it does not affect the technical performance of the material. Its structural cells are not destroyed even in boiling water.
- Resistant to fire. In accordance with the official classification, the material has a fire resistance class of M3. It is difficult to set it on fire, it does not spread the flame well and emits a minimum of hot particles and smoke. No harmful elements are produced during combustion.
- Density. It is quite high near cork and reaches 200-230 kg/m3.
- Biological stability. The material is not spoiled by rodents, it is not a favorable environment for the reproduction of mold, fungi and bacteria.
- Strength. Roll cork can withstand maximum compression up to 2.5kgf/cm2. Tensile strength is 0.94kg/cm2.
- Environmental safety. Cork insulation for walls consists entirely ofnatural raw materials, therefore it is hypoallergenic.
- Chemical resistance. Cork is completely inert, so it does not react with many types of chemicals used in construction.
- Operational life. The material almost does not decompose, therefore it is durable. Typically, manufacturers give a guarantee of at least 50 years.
Varieties
The material production technology is called agglomeration. Therefore, all varieties of cork roll insulation are divided into white and black agglomerate.
It is also classified by release form:
- roll;
- in the form of panels;
- plates;
- in the form of mats.
The density and thickness of each form is different, however, as well as the scope. For example, you can buy cork insulation on the floor in the form of a roll. After all, it is considered an ideal substrate for parquet and laminate. It is also used when installing underfloor heating screeds. The thickness varies from 2 mm to 6 mm. Cork insulation for the floor has a standard roll size - 1 m100 cm.
Matts and slabs are often used for walls and are excellent sound absorbers. Panels are the most thick and dense material, which has found its application in the insulation of the outer sides of the building, foundation, facades and roofs. A number of manufacturers equip the seams with a locking system to facilitate installation. The scope of cork is huge. For example, how can cork insulation be used in the garden? Sometimes they close the walls of the greenhouse in cold weatheryear, and some owners of private houses use it in chicken coops.
White cork agglomerate
This material is created from the bark of oak branches. It looks great as a decorative finish. Therefore, having insulated the walls with white agglomerate, it will not be necessary to carry out finishing. Often roll and tile material is made from it.
Black cork agglomerate
This material is created from the bark of tree trunks. It must be heat treated. The result is one of the most effective natural materials. It is usually produced in the form of panels of different sizes.
Benefits
According to reviews, cork insulation for walls and floors has a huge number of advantages compared to synthetic counterparts. The material is characterized by the absence of emission of harmful substances. It can quickly regain its shape after being bent, twisted or compressed.
Cork insulation under the wallpaper has a high degree of elasticity. Even many years after installation, it will not lose its original performance.
The undeniable advantages of cork include:
- no decay process over the years;
- no electrification and accumulation of static electricity;
- presence of natural antiseptic properties;
- resistance to insects and rodents.
It is important to note that any type of cork is not subject to degradation due tonegative and strong exposure to ultraviolet rays, since the material does not let them through.
In case of accidental ignition, the insulation will not release harmful substances into the air, such as chlorine, cyanide and phenol. The manufacturer treats products with a fire retardant to minimize flammability.
Reviews of cork insulation show that it has:
- low thermal conductivity;
- increased soundproof qualities;
- long operating period;
- safety.
It is also important to note that technical cork can retain its original properties even when operating at negative temperatures. In addition, the insulation is resistant to alkaline media.
Flaws
Cork has no significant drawbacks. Users only point out a few weaknesses:
- The material is rather expensive. Given the excellent performance and the absence of synthetic additives, the price of the material is fully justified. Also worth noting is its long service life, which eliminates the need for periodic replacement.
- Insulation, which is characterized by low density - from 95 kg / m³ to 130 kg / m - well transmits vibration waves. Accordingly, it cannot be used as a barrier that prevents the penetration of noise and vibrations into the object. To protect against them, experts recommend consideringcork insulation, the density of which starts at least 130 kg/m³.
- Insulating wall underlayment may deteriorate if this type of finish is used on purpose-built industrial facilities and when metal cutting or other types of processing are performed indoors. This is due to the fact that metal chips can degrade the thermal insulation qualities of the material. Its pores will become clogged with solid particles. In this case, prolonged operation will provoke a violation of the cork structure.
The material will protect against noise if the user fulfills the main condition, that is, provides a high frequency range of 1.5 kHz.
Selection criteria
If you need to buy cork material for roofing, floors, floors, walls, it is important to determine the amount of heat insulator and a reliable manufacturer. Quality goods will always be securely packaged. The box must not be damaged. If all is well, you need to continue to examine the material itself. The main characteristics of cork, which are visible upon examination, are elasticity, smoothness, elasticity and soft texture.
The structure of a roll, mat or plate must certainly be homogeneous without inclusions. The opposite situation indicates that the manufacturer has added waste to the material, so it will not be durable.
You can try to break off a piece of cork. High-quality insulation will not give in easily and will not crumble. It is advisable to ask the seller for quality certificates, this will make sure that the product is original. Best proven itselfcork from Portugal, which is represented by several manufacturers.
Amorim
Amorim has been specializing in the production of all kinds of cork oak products for many years. It is considered the world leader in the field of cork insulation. It is worth noting that many companies use the production facilities of the corporation to produce their own products. The cost of Amorim material depends on the modification and thickness of the boards.
Wicanders
Wicanders offers its customers a wide range of cork insulation for wallpaper. Delivery of products is carried out on the territory of Russia. The range includes cork wall coverings that can be used both as a decorative finish and a heat insulator.
Izora
Producer Izora produces white and black cork agglomerate. It is usually presented in the form of panels for wall, floor and roof insulation. The cost depends on the density and thickness of the material.
Sedacor
The Sedacor brand specializes in the production of substrates, technical cork and finishing materials. It realizes sheet and roll plug.
Wall and floor insulation
Tiles and roll material are used as insulation for walls. It can be glued under the wallpaper. It is recommended to use for walls such a cork, the thickness of which is large. This allows for better heat retention in the building. For maximum adhesion of the agglomerate, contact or acrylic adhesive is used. This cork material is used andfor floor insulation. It acts as a substrate for the topcoat, as it makes it possible to distribute the load over the entire sheet. It is important to know that under parquet and laminate it is forbidden to use insulation with a thickness of more than 2-3 mm. This is due to the fact that the maximum height difference of the base for such coatings is 2-3 mm/m2. If the thickness is greater, then after a certain time, a strong deformation of the substrate will form, as a result, the interlocks will be broken.
Quick Installation Instructions
Installing cork insulation on walls or floors is easy. For high-quality fixation, you should use special glue - contact for flooring, acrylic universal for walls. If the latter composition is used, then only one surface can be lubricated. Contact adhesive certainly requires processing on both sides of the surface.
The scheme of work is as follows:
- Cleaning the work surface. The floor and walls must be perfectly even. All bumps need to be cleaned off, cracks and crevices should be covered up.
- If there are leftover wallpapers, they should be removed.
- The surface is primed with a deep penetration compound.
- Roll insulation is attached to the walls, similar to wallpaper.
- The material is smeared with glue, and the strips are fixed end-to-end.
- If slabs are laid, then you should first make markings on the floor.
- The first fragment should be placed in the middle, the others should be parallel or perpendicular to the floor.
It is important to remember that the cork should not be glued to a damp surface, becauseit just won't stick. In addition, humidity is an excellent breeding ground for fungus. What can be glued on cork insulation? Of course, wallpapers, both heavy vinyl and ordinary ones.
Cork insulation is an environmentally friendly modern material with many advantages. It is resilient, lightweight, provides reliable sound and heat insulation, does not support combustion, and, of course, is completely safe for people and the environment. The material can be used for insulation, foundation, frame structures and roofing. Cork has proven itself on the positive side, so many people prefer wall and ceiling decoration with it, despite its high cost, in comparison with artificial materials.
